If you have always dreamed of hiking in Lapland, near the Arctic Circle, this exploratory backpacking course will take you north into those remote regions of Norway and Sweden.

You may go where no NOLS student has gone before. With the expert guidance of your instructors, you'll learn to travel and camp in areas such as Troms, Finnmark, or Lyngen. With roots reaching back to the indigenous Sami traditions as well as the migrations of the Vikings during the late 800s, Scandinavia is a unique place rich in culture, history, and wilderness.

Here you will dive into the NOLS core curriculum-honing your leadership skills, backcountry navigation savvy, and Leave No Trace ethics.

Dates

August 02 - August 15, 2017

Skills Learned

Backpacking

There’s nothing quite like seeing the remote wilderness on your own two feet, carrying all your own gear on your back while gaining the tools necessary to become a great leader in the backcountry and at home.

Backpacking courses often hike three out of every four days. You’ll travel in small hiking groups so you have more opportunities to lead, make decisions, and map read as you move through beautiful wilderness. Hiking days begin early when you light your stove, cook and enjoy breakfast, and then organize and pack your pack.

You’re usually hiking by mid-morning. Lunch on the trail might be bread you baked the day before, or a trail mix of nuts and dried fruits. You may stop for a short class on natural history, or to learn how to cross a river, travel through boulders or snow, or move over a high pass. When you arrive at your new camp location, you'll first spend time choosing a Leave No Trace site and organizing camp, then you’ll prepare a well-deserved dinner. If the day was long, a short evening meeting may wrap up the day. If the hike was short, there may be a class or discussion.

Location

NOLS Scandinavia

With remote Arctic coastlines and lush tundra, Scandinavia beckons. Your NOLS expedition along the Arctic Circle will take you around rugged islands, in and out of fjords, and along coastal brim, the lowland area stretching from the ocean to the steep glaciated peaks of the Scandinavian Mountains.

Lying along the same latitudes as Siberia, Greenland, and Alaska, Arctic Scandinavia will provide long summer days of midnight sun as you learn technical sea kayaking or backpacking skills needed for an expedition anywhere in the world.

From the coast to the limestone caves to forested valleys and high peaks, this unique backcountry classroom provides ample opportunity to immerse yourself in the core NOLS curriculum. And as one of the newest NOLS operating locations, Scandinavia will provide a sense of adventure and expedition that is very much exploratory.

You may go where no NOLS student has gone before. Whether in your boat or on your feet, you’ll master leadership and outdoor living skills while immersing yourself in the culture and wilderness of Scandinavia.